US20050049514A1 - Wearable heartbeat measuring device, system and method - Google Patents
Wearable heartbeat measuring device, system and method Download PDFInfo
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- US20050049514A1 US20050049514A1 US10/926,894 US92689404A US2005049514A1 US 20050049514 A1 US20050049514 A1 US 20050049514A1 US 92689404 A US92689404 A US 92689404A US 2005049514 A1 US2005049514 A1 US 2005049514A1
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- Prior art keywords
- heartbeat
- wrist
- detection unit
- chamber
- heartbeat detection
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
- A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
- A61B5/6802—Sensor mounted on worn items
- A61B5/681—Wristwatch-type devices
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/02—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
- A61B5/024—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate
Definitions
- the current invention is generally related to a wearable heartbeat measuring device, and more particularly related to a wrist watch containing a two-room chamber heartbeat measuring device that can be worn around the wrist.
- Portable heart monitors and blood pressure monitors have been known. Some of these monitors incorporate watch functions and are worn on the wrist of the user. The display on the watch indicates time and or date. Furthermore, the user selects a certain mode to monitor either blood pressure or heartbeat. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Hei 8-299292, after the user selects a heartbeat monitor mode, the display indicates a number of heartbeats per minute. However, to measure heartbeats, a small cuff must be additionally worn on a finger tip by the user.
- Japanese Publication 62-292137 discloses another example of a blood pressure monitor.
- a wrist watch incorporates a blood pressure monitor.
- An inflatable tubular cuff has been incorporated in the wrist band or the straps.
- the cuff is connected to a pressure measuring chamber, and a pressure sensor is located in the pressure chamber.
- the user manually pumps air into the cuff in order to inflate the cuff against the arteries in the wrist.
- the intermittently inflated cuff contains air whose pressure is measured by the pressure sensor. The measured pressure change is calculated to display the blood pressure at the display.
- the user must perform additional tasks. According to the above examples, the user must wear an additional finger piece for the heartbeat measurement or must pump the air into the cuff for the blood pressure measurement.
- a wearable heartbeat measuring device including: a heartbeat detection unit for detecting an arterial movement indicative of a heartbeat around the wrist to generate a heartbeat signal; and a wrist strap for supporting the heartbeat detection unit near a top portion of the wrist, the wrist strap having a flexible portion and a inflexible portion, the inflexible portion extending from the heartbeat detection unit and having a predetermined angle and a predetermined width with respect to the wrist so as to form a predetermined amount of space between the wrist and the strap near the top portion of the wrist.
- a wearable heartbeat measuring device including: a heartbeat detection unit for detecting an arterial movement indicative of a heartbeat around the wrist to generate a heartbeat signal; and a wrist strap for supporting the heartbeat detection unit near a top portion of the wrist, the wrist strap having a flexible portion and a inflexible portion, the inflexible portion extending from the heartbeat detection unit and having a predetermined angle and a predetermined width that exceeds the wrist so as to form a predetermined amount of space between the wrist and the strap near the top portion of the wrist.
- a heartbeat detection device including: a first unit having a first flexible enclosed area for forming a first chamber, a pressure in the first chamber changing in response to an externally applied pressure; a second unit having a second enclosed area located adjacent to the first chamber for forming a second chamber, the second chamber having a pressure sensitive element for generating a signal indicative of a pressure change; and a separation wall located between the first unit and the second unit, the separation wall having a communication hole for connecting the first chamber and the second chamber.
- a method of measuring a heartbeat by wearing a heartbeat detection unit around the wrist with a strap including the steps of: forming a substantially flat area on the strap at a bottom portion of the wrist near the ulnar artery and the radial artery; maintaining a contact between the wrist and the substantially flat area on the strap during the heartbeat measurement; maintaining a space between the wrist and the strap near a top portion of the wrist the heartbeat detection unit during the heartbeat measurement; and detecting a heartbeat by a pressure change in a first chamber at the heartbeat detection unit.
- a method of measuring a heartbeat by wearing a heartbeat detection unit around the wrist with a strap including the steps of: forming a substantially flat area on the strap at a bottom portion of the wrist near the ulnar artery and the radial artery; maintaining a contact between the wrist and the substantially flat area on the strap during the heartbeat measurement; maintaining a width of the strap with respect to the wrist for a space between the wrist and the strap near a top portion of the wrist the heartbeat detection unit during the heartbeat measurement; and detecting a heartbeat by a pressure change in a first chamber at the heartbeat detection unit.
- a method of measuring a heartbeat including steps of: detecting a heartbeat by a pressure change in a first chamber at the heartbeat detection unit; filtering high-frequency components of the pressure change via communication hole to a second chamber at the heartbeat detection unit; transferring the pressure change to the second chamber at the heartbeat detection unit via the communication hole; and converting the pressure change in the second chamber to a proportional electrical signal at the heartbeat detection unit.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a front view of one preferred embodiment of a heartbeat measuring watch device according to the current invention.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating certain components of the heartbeat measuring watch device according to the current invention.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a cross sectional view along a line III-III of FIG. 1 of the heartbeat measuring watch device in a first preferred embodiment according to the current invention.
- FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cross sectional view of the heartbeat measuring watch device in a second preferred embodiment according to the current invention.
- FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a cross sectional view of the heartbeat measuring watch device in a third preferred embodiment according to the current invention.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a cross sectional view of the heartbeat measuring watch device in a fourth preferred embodiment according to the current invention.
- FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an enlarged cross sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of the isolated heartbeat detection unit according to the current invention.
- FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a further enlarged cross sectional view of the pressure sensitive element and the metallic plate according to the current invention.
- FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an enlarged cross sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the isolated heartbeat detection unit according to the current invention.
- FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a further enlarged cross sectional view of the pressure sensitive element and the metallic plate according to the current invention.
- FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a top view of the isolated heartbeat detection unit according to the current invention.
- FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a relationship between the sensitivity of the pressure sensitive element and the size of the communication hole in the heartbeat detection unit according to the current invention.
- FIGS. 11A and 11B are graphs showing exemplary heartbeat data as measured by the heartbeat measuring watch device in the second preferred embodiment according to the current invention.
- FIGS. 11C and 11D are graphs showing exemplary heartbeat data as measured by the heartbeat measuring watch device in the second preferred embodiment according to the current invention.
- FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating general steps involved in a preferred process of monitoring heartbeat according to the current invention.
- FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary display output of a heartbeat measurement result according to the current invention.
- FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating detailed steps involved in a preferred process of monitoring heartbeat according to the current invention.
- FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary message that is displayed on the display unit of the heartbeat measuring watch device during the heartbeat measurement according to the current invention.
- FIG. 1 a diagram illustrates a front view of one preferred embodiment of a heartbeat measuring watch device 100 according to the current invention.
- the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 includes a watch casing or housing 2 and a strap or belt 4 removably placing around the wrist of a user.
- One end of each of the two straps 4 is connected at a protruding portion or extended casing portion 12 of the watch casing 2 , and the other end of the straps 4 is removably connectable with each other via a clasp or some other means that are not illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- the extended casing portion 12 extends away from an edge of the casing 2 around the wrist to provide a certain width to the casing 2 .
- the above casing width allows the user to strap the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 around the wrist via the straps 4 in a certain manner as will be described later with respect to cross sectional view.
- the width of the straps 4 , the casing 2 and the extended casing portion 12 or their equivalents is defined to be a combined width of the straps 4 , the extended casing portion 12 and the casing 2 or their equivalents in the strapping direction along a line III-Ill when viewed from top as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the straps 4 are bendable, they are made of certain non-stretchable material so that force caused by the pulse or heartbeat around the wrist is transmitted through the straps 4 when the straps 4 are worn around the wrist in a sufficiently tight manner.
- the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 further includes a display unit 25 for displaying various information.
- the display unit 25 is implemented by a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and is mounted on or in the casing 2 .
- the information includes certain combinations of information on time, date, heartbeat and predetermined others.
- the information is also selected by the user command via selection keys or switches 2 A 1 through 2 A 4 .
- a certain predetermined combinations of the selection keys 2 A 1 through 2 A 4 allows the user to adjust the information such as time and date, to initiate a desired command such as a heartbeat measurement process or to respond to a message displayed on the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 .
- the display unit 25 is optionally lit in response to a user command or a light level so that the displayed information is read in the dark.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating certain components of the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 according to the current invention.
- the following predetermined elements or units are located in or around the casing 2 of the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 .
- a central processing unit (CPU) 101 receives an input from a user via an input control unit 102 and initiates a certain corresponding task by executing a predetermined software program in a random access memory (RAM) 105 .
- the CPU 101 instructs a display control unit 103 to output a display.
- the user inputs a command.
- the software programs include system/application programs for keeping time and data as well as for measuring the heartbeat.
- ROM read only memory
- the CPU 101 reads a software program into the RAM 105 in response to a certain command.
- One of the user commands is to initiate a heartbeat measurement at a heartbeat detection unit or heart monitor 3 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 receives signals from a pressure sensitive element 38
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 sends the data to the CPU 101 and the corresponding heartbeat measurement software program.
- the CPU 101 selectively instructs the display control unit 103 to display the measurement result.
- An oscillator 109 generates an oscillation signal for the watch function.
- the oscillation signal is inputted into a clock circuit 108 , and the CPU also selectively instructs the display control unit 103 to output the time and or date information.
- the above mentioned units or components except for the oscillation circuit 109 and the pressure sensitive element 38 are directly connected with each other via a common bus 113 .
- FIG. 3 a diagram illustrates a cross sectional view along a line III-III of FIG. 1 of the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 in a first preferred embodiment according to the current invention.
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 is mounted on a bottom surface of the time keeping unit I that is located in the inflexible or hard casing body 2 .
- a display unit 25 is covered by a transparent watch display cover or glass 5 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 is fixed to the casing 2 by components N such as screws via rubber rings G 1 . Edges of the casing 2 are respectively connected to one end of flexible straps 4 A and 4 B via an extended casing portion 12 .
- the straps 4 A and 4 B are made of flexible, but non-expandable material such as certain silicon, leather or silicon to fit the curvature of the wrist 60 without expansion.
- the other end of the straps 4 A and 4 B has a fastening mechanism 4 C such as a buckle to engage with each other so that the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 is adjustably worn around a wrist 60 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 contacts the upper portion or top portion 60 a of the user wrist 60 when the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 is worn as indicated in FIG. 3 .
- the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 detects the heartbeat from the wrist 60 .
- the ulnar artery 63 and the radial artery 64 are respectively located below the ulna 61 and the radius 62 and are positioned near a bottom portion of the joined straps 4 A and 4 B or the fastening mechanism 4 C.
- the two arteries 63 and 64 are substantially perpendicular to the strapping direction of the straps 4 A and 4 B. As the two arteries 63 and 64 expand as indicated by the dotted lines, the expansion causes the pulsation force in certain directions as indicated by the arrows.
- the extended casing portion 12 extends from the casing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide an additional width or horizontal dimension to the casing 2 .
- the predetermined angle and the width of the extended casing portion 12 substantially facilitate the flexible straps 4 A and 4 B to form a relatively flat portion near the fastening mechanism 4 C in order to ascertain snug contact over the bottom portion 60 b of the wrist 60 for efficiently initiating the transfer of the pulsation force.
- the predetermined angle and the predetermined width of the extended casing portion 12 also form the space SI with the casing 2 , the straps 4 A and 4 B and an upper portion or top portion 60 a of the wrist 60 near the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
- the extended casing portion 12 is made of hard material, the flexing movement of the wrist 60 is confined in the space SI, and the upper side portions of the wrist 60 fail to touch the corresponding upper side area of the flexible straps 4 A and 4 B.
- the lack of the above skin contact also substantially promotes the efficient transfer of the pulsation force along the straps 4 A and 4 B towards the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
- the total width of the casing 2 , the extended casing portion 12 and the straps 4 A and 4 B exceeds the width of the wrist 60 in the first preferred embodiment.
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 detects the pulsation force that is caused by the arterial expansion and contraction in the wrist 60 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 further includes a first chamber 34 and a second chamber 35 .
- the first chamber 34 and the second chamber 35 are connected by a communication hole 36 a , they are substantially separated by a separation wall 36 .
- the communication hole 36 a is located at a substantially central portion of the separation wall 36 .
- a top or ceiling wall of the second chamber 35 is formed by a partially overlapping layer of a pressure sensitive element 38 and a metallic plate 37 . A part of the overlapping layer is sandwiched between the separation wall 36 and a panel wall 39 via rubber rings G 2 .
- the panel wall 39 has an opening portion 39 a , through which lead wires L access the pressure sensitive element 38 and the metallic plate 37 .
- the separation material 36 further includes air-tight protruding portions 36 b that extend through the panel wall 39 in order to maintain the internal pressure in the second chamber 35 by pressing the panel wall 39 against the rubber rings G 2 .
- the air-tight protruding portions 36 b are fused or affixed to the panel wall 39 .
- the first chamber 34 projects towards the wrist 60 .
- a bottom or floor wall 32 a and side walls 32 b of the first chamber 34 are uniformly or integrally formed by a projection unit 32 .
- the 30 bottom wall 32 a is plated by an inflexible plate 33 such as certain hard metal.
- the projection unit 32 is made of a certain flexible insulation material 31 such as urethane, silicon or synthetic rubber.
- the insulation material 31 maintains the internal pressure in the first chamber 34 .
- An edge portion of the projection unit 32 , the separation wall 36 and the panel wall 39 are screwed together to the casing 2 by a screw N in order to maintain the internal pressure of the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
- the above screwed edge portions are pressed against the rubber rings G 1 located near the screw N.
- FIG. 4 a diagram illustrates a cross sectional view of the heartbeat measuring watch device 200 in a second preferred embodiment according to the current invention.
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 is mounted on a bottom surface of the time keeping unit 1 that is located in the inflexible or hard casing body 2 .
- a display unit 25 is covered by a transparent watch display cover 5 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 is fixed to the casing 2 by components N such as screws via rubber rings G 1 .
- An extended casing portion 12 extends from the casing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide an additional width or horizontal dimension to the casing 2 .
- the extended casing portion 12 then connects to an adjustably extended casing portion 51 , which is made of inflexible material such as hard resin or metal in order to further adjust the width or horizontal dimension.
- the adjustably extended casing portion 51 further includes a connecting pin 82 and a plurality of connecting holes 81 for adjusting the width with respect to the wrist 60 of a user.
- the other end of the adjustably extended casing portions 51 is respectively connected to one end of straps 52 A and 52 B that are made of flexible, but non-expandable material such as certain silicon or resin to fit the curvature of a wrist 60 without expansion.
- the other end of the straps 52 A and 52 B has a fastening mechanism 52 C such as a buckle to engage with each other so that the heartbeat measuring watch device 200 is adjustably worn around the wrist 60 .
- a fastening mechanism 52 C such as a buckle to engage with each other so that the heartbeat measuring watch device 200 is adjustably worn around the wrist 60 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 contacts the upper portion or top portion 60 a of the user wrist 60 when the heartbeat measuring watch device 200 is worn as indicated in FIG. 4 .
- the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 detects the heartbeat from the wrist 60 .
- the ulnar artery 63 and the radial artery 64 are respectively located below the ulna 61 and the radius 62 and positioned near a bottom portion of the joined straps 52 A and 52 B or the fastening mechanism 52 C.
- the two arteries 63 and 64 are substantially perpendicular to the strapping direction of the straps 52 A and 52 B. As the two arteries 63 and 64 expand as indicated by the dotted lines, the expansion causes the pulsation force in certain directions as indicated by the arrows.
- the extended casing portion 12 and the adjustably extended casing portion 51 extend from the casing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide an additional width or horizontal dimension to the casing 2 .
- the predetermined angle and the width of the extended casing portion 12 and the adjustably extended casing portion 51 substantially facilitate the flexible straps 52 A and 52 B to form a relatively flat portion near the fastening mechanism 52 C in order to ascertain snug contact over the bottom portion 60 b of the wrist 60 for efficiently initiating the transfer of the pulsation force.
- the predetermined angle and the predetermined width of the extended casing portion 12 and the adjustably extended casing portion 51 also form the space S 2 with the casing 2 , the straps 52 A and 52 B and an upper portion or top portion 60 a of the wrist 60 near the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
- the space S 2 of FIG. 4 is optionally larger than the space SI as shown in FIG. 3 since the adjustably extended casing portion 51 and the straps 52 A and 52 B form an additional space along lateral sides 60 S of the wrist 60 .
- the extended casing portion 12 and the adjustably extended casing portion 51 are made of hard material, the flexing movement of the wrist 60 is confined in the space S 2 , and the upper side portions of the wrist 60 fail to touch the corresponding upper side area of the adjustably extended casing portion 51 or the flexible straps 52 A and 52 B.
- the lack of the above skin contact thus substantially promotes the efficient transfer of the pulsation force along the straps 52 A and 52 B and the adjustably extended casing portion 51 towards the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
- the total width of the casing 2 , the extended casing portion 12 , the adjustably extended casing portion 51 and the straps 52 A and 52 B exceeds the width of the wrist 60 in the second preferred embodiment.
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 detects the pulsation force that is caused by the arterial expansion and contraction in the wrist 60 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 further includes a first chamber 34 and a second chamber 35 .
- the first chamber 34 and the second chamber 35 are connected by a communication hole 36 a , they are substantially separated by a separation wall 36 .
- the communication hole 36 a is located at a substantially central portion of the separation wall 36 .
- a top or ceiling wall of the second chamber 35 is formed by a partially overlapping layer of a pressure sensitive element 38 and a metallic plate 37 . A part of the overlapping layer is sandwiched between the separation wall 36 and a panel wall 39 via rubber rings G 2 .
- the panel wall 39 has an opening portion 39 a , through which lead wires L access the pressure sensitive element 38 and the metallic plate 37 .
- the separation material 36 further includes air-tight protruding portions 36 b that extend through the panel wall 39 in order to maintain the internal pressure in the second chamber 35 by pressing the panel wall 39 against the rubber rings G 2 .
- the air-tight protruding portions 36 b are fused or affixed to the panel wall 39 .
- the first chamber 34 projects towards the wrist 60 .
- a bottom or floor wall 32 a and side walls 32 b of the first chamber 34 are uniformly or integrally formed by a projection unit 32 .
- the bottom wall 32 a is plated by an inflexible plate 33 such as certain hard metal.
- the projection unit 32 is made of a certain flexible insulation material 31 such as urethane, silicon or synthetic rubber.
- the insulation material 31 maintains the internal pressure in the first chamber 34 .
- An edge portion of the projection unit 32 , the separation wall 36 and the panel wall 39 are screwed together to the casing 2 by the screw N in order to maintain the internal pressure of the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
- the above screwed edge portions are pressed against the rubber rings G 1 located near the screw N.
- FIG. 5 a diagram illustrates a cross sectional view of the heartbeat measuring watch device 300 in a third preferred embodiment according to the current invention.
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 is mounted on a bottom surface of the time keeping unit 1 that is located in the casing body 2 .
- a display unit 25 is covered by a transparent watch display cover 5 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 is fixed to the casing 2 by components N such as screws via rubber rings G 1 .
- An extended casing portion 12 B extends from the casing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide a predetermined width or horizontal dimension to the casing 2 .
- the extended casing portion 12 B further extends downward to form an extended side strap portion 10 a .
- the extended casing portion 12 B and the extended side strap portion 10 a are made of inflexible material such as hard resin or metal and are integrally formed.
- the end of the extended side strap portions 10 a is removably connected to one end of straps 53 A and 53 B that are made of flexible, but nonexpandable material such as certain silicon or resin to fit the curvature of a wrist 60 without expansion.
- the extended side strap portions 10 a and the straps 53 A and 53 B form a connection hole 81 a and are connected by a connecting pin 82 a in the connection hole 81 a .
- the other end of the straps 53 A and 53 B has a fastening mechanism 53 C such as a buckle to engage with each other so that the heartbeat measuring watch device 300 is adjustably worn around the wrist 60 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 contacts the upper portion or top portion of 60 a of the user wrist 60 when the heartbeat measuring watch device 300 is worn as indicated in FIG. 5 .
- the heartbeat measuring watch device 300 detects the heartbeat from the wrist 60 .
- the ulnar artery 63 and the radial artery 64 are respectively located below the, ulna 61 and the radius 62 and positioned near a bottom portion of the joined straps 53 A and 53 B or the fastening mechanism 53 C.
- the two arteries 63 and 64 are substantially perpendicular to the strapping direction of the straps 53 A and 53 B. As the two arteries 63 and 64 expand as indicated by the dotted lines, the expansion causes the pulsation force in certain directions as indicated by the arrows.
- the extended casing portion 12 B extends from the casing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide an additional width or horizontal dimension to the casing 2 .
- the predetermined angle and the predetermined width of the extended casing portion 12 B substantially facilitate the flexible straps 53 A and 53 B to form a relatively flat portion near the fastening mechanism 53 C in order to ascertain snug contact over the bottom portion 60 b of the wrist 60 for efficiently initiating the transfer of the pulsation force.
- the predetermined angle and the predetermined width of the extended casing portion 12 B and the extended side strap portions 10 a also form the space S 3 with the casing 2 , the straps 53 A and 53 B and an upper portion 60 a of the wrist 60 near the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
- the extended side strap portions 10 a and the straps 53 A and 53 B form an additional space along lateral sides 60 S of the wrist 60 .
- the extended casing portion 12 B and the extended side strap portions 10 a are made of hard material, the flexing movement of the wrist 60 is confined in the space S 3 , and the upper side portions of the wrist 60 fail to touch the corresponding upper side area of the extended casing portion 12 B, the extended side strap portions 10 a or the flexible straps 53 A and 53 B.
- the lack of the above skin contact also substantially promotes the efficient transfer of the pulsation force along the straps 53 A and 53 B, the extended side strap portions 10 a and the extended casing portion 12 B towards the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
- the total width of the casing 2 , the extended casing portion 12 B, the extended side strap portions 10 a and the straps 53 A and 53 B exceeds the width of the wrist 60 in the third preferred embodiment.
- the extended casing portion 10 , the extended side strap portions 10 a and the straps 53 A and 53 B are optionally further broken down to smaller structural pieces.
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 detects the pulsation force that is caused by the arterial expansion and contraction in the wrist 60 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 further includes a first chamber 34 and a second chamber 35 .
- the first chamber 34 and the second chamber 35 are connected by a communication hole 36 a , they are substantially separated by a separation wall 36 .
- the communication hole 36 a is located at a substantially central portion of the separation wall 36 .
- a top or ceiling wall of the second chamber 35 is formed by a partially overlapping layer of a pressure sensitive element 38 and a metallic plate 37 . A part of the overlapping layer is sandwiched between the separation wall 36 and a panel wall 39 via rubber rings G 2 .
- the panel wall 39 has an opening portion 39 a , through which lead wires L access the pressure sensitive element 38 and the metallic plate 37 .
- the separation material 36 further includes air-tight protruding portions 36 b that extend through the panel wall 39 in order to maintain the internal pressure in the second chamber 35 by pressing the panel wall 39 against the rubber rings G 2 .
- the air-tight protruding portions 36 b are fused or affixed to the panel wall 39 .
- the first chamber 34 projects towards the wrist 60 .
- a bottom or floor wall 32 a and side walls 32 b of the first chamber 34 are uniformly or integrally formed by a projection unit 32 .
- the bottom wall 32 a is plated by an inflexible plate 33 such as certain hard metal.
- the projection unit 32 is made of a certain flexible insulation material 31 such as urethane, silicon or synthetic rubber.
- the insulation material 31 maintains the internal pressure in the first chamber 34 .
- An edge portion of the projection unit 32 , the separation wall 36 and the panel wall 39 are screwed together to the casing 2 by the screw N in order to maintain the internal pressure of the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
- the above screwed edge portions are pressed against the rubber rings G 1 located near the screw N.
- FIG. 6 a diagram illustrates a cross sectional view of the heartbeat measuring watch device 400 in a fourth preferred embodiment according to the current invention.
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 is mounted on a bottom surface of the time keeping unit 1 that is located in the casing body 2 .
- a display unit 25 is covered by a transparent watch display cover 5 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 is fixed to the casing 2 by components N such as screws via rubber rings G 1 .
- An extended casing portion 12 A extends from the casing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide a predetermined width or horizontal dimension to the casing 2 .
- the extended casing portion 12 A is made of inflexible material such as hard resin or metal and is integrally formed with the casing 2 .
- the end of the extended casing portion 12 A is removably connected to one end of straps 54 A and 54 B that are made of flexible, but non-expandable material such as certain silicon or resin to fit the curvature of a wrist 60 without expansion.
- the extended casing portion 12 A and the straps 54 A and 54 B form a connection hole 81 b and are connected by a connecting pin 82 b in the connection hole 81 b .
- the juncture allows some adjustment as the straps 54 A and 54 B move around the pins 82 b .
- the other end of the straps 54 A and 54 B has a fastening mechanism 54 C such as a buckle to engage with each other so that the heartbeat measuring watch device 400 is adjustably worn around the wrist 60 .
- a fastening mechanism 54 C such as a buckle to engage with each other so that the heartbeat measuring watch device 400 is adjustably worn around the wrist 60 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 contacts the upper portion or top portion 60 a of the user wrist 60 when the heartbeat measuring watch device 400 is worn as indicated in FIG. 6 .
- the heartbeat measuring watch device 400 detects the heartbeat from the wrist 60 .
- the ulnar artery 63 and the radial artery 64 are respectively located below the, ulna 61 and the radius 62 and positioned near a bottom portion of the joined straps 54 A and 54 B or the fastening mechanism 54 C.
- the two arteries 63 and 64 are substantially perpendicular to the strapping direction of the straps 54 A and 54 B. As the two arteries 63 and 64 expand as indicated by the dotted lines, the expansion causes the pulsation force in certain directions as indicated by the arrows.
- the extended casing portion 12 A extends from the casing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide an additional width or horizontal dimension to the casing 2 .
- the predetermined angle and the predetermined width of the extended casing portion 12 A substantially facilitate the flexible straps 54 A and 54 B to form a relatively flat portion near the fastening mechanism 54 C in order to ascertain snug contact over the bottom portion 60 b of the wrist 60 for efficiently initiating the transfer of the pulsation force.
- the predetermined angle and the predetermined width of the extended casing portion 12 A also form the space S 4 with the casing 2 , the straps 54 A and 54 B and an upper portion or the top portion 60 a of the wrist 60 near the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
- the extended casing portion 12 A is made of hard material, the flexing movement of the wrist 60 is confined in the space S 4 , and the upper side portions of the wrist 60 fail to touch the corresponding upper side area of the flexible straps 54 A and 54 B or the extended casing portion 12 A.
- the lack of the above skin contact also substantially promotes the efficient transfer of the pulsation force along the straps 54 A and 54 B and the extended casing portion 12 A towards the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
- the total width of the casing 2 , the extended casing portion 12 A and the straps 54 A and 54 B exceeds the width of the wrist 60 in the fourth preferred embodiment.
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 detects the pulsation force that is caused by the arterial expansion and contraction in the wrist 60 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 further includes a first chamber 34 and a second chamber 35 .
- the first chamber 34 and the second chamber 35 are connected by a communication hole 36 a , they are substantially separated by a separation wall 36 .
- the communication hole 36 a is located at a substantially central portion of the separation wall 36 .
- a top or ceiling wall of the second chamber 35 is formed by a partially overlapping layer of a pressure sensitive element 38 and a metallic plate 37 . A part of the overlapping layer is sandwiched between the separation wall 36 and a panel wall 39 via rubber rings G 2 .
- the panel wall 39 has an opening portion 39 a , through which lead wires L access the pressure sensitive element 38 and the metallic plate 37 .
- the separation material 36 further includes air-tight protruding portions 36 b that extend through the panel wall 39 in order to maintain the internal pressure in the second chamber 35 by pressing the panel wall 39 against the rubber rings G 2 .
- the air-tight protruding portions 36 b are fused or affixed to the panel wall 39 .
- the first chamber 34 projects towards the wrist 60 .
- a bottom or floor wall 32 a and side walls 32 b of the first chamber 34 are uniformly or integrally formed by a projection unit 32 .
- the bottom wall 32 a is plated by an inflexible plate 33 such as certain hard metal.
- the projection unit 32 is made of a certain flexible insulation material 31 such as urethane, silicon or synthetic rubber.
- the insulation material 31 maintains the internal pressure in the first chamber 34 .
- An edge portion of the projection unit 32 , the separation wall 36 and the panel wall 39 are screwed together to the casing 2 by the screw N in order to maintain the internal pressure of the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
- the above screwed edge portions are pressed against the rubber rings G 1 located near the screw N.
- the first, second, third and fourth preferred embodiments are described to have the heartbeat detection unit 3 on the bottom surface of the time keeping unit 1 that is located in the casing body 2 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 is mounted directly on the strap 4 A, 4 B, 52 A, 52 B, 53 A and 53 B opposite the time keeping unit 1 . If the user wears the alternative embodiment as described above with respect to FIGS. 3, 4 , 5 and 6 , the heartbeat detection unit 3 is located near the ulnar artery 63 and the radial artery 64 .
- other units or portions are correspondingly altered.
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 is operationally connected to other units such as the CPU 101 in order to transmit electrical signals indicative of the detected heartbeats.
- FIG. 7A a diagram illustrates an enlarged cross sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of the isolated heartbeat detection unit 3 according to the current invention.
- the first chamber 34 and the second chamber 35 are formed by the panel wall 39 , the separation wall 36 and the projection unit 32 .
- the first chamber 34 is formed substantially larger than the second chamber 35 .
- the separation wall 36 further includes the air-tight projection portions 36 b , which protrude through the panel wall 39 to maintain the internal pressure in the second chamber 35 .
- the projection unit 32 further includes the bottom portion 32 a and the side portion 32 b that are integrally formed with each other.
- the hard plate 33 is optionally mounted on an inner bottom surface of the bottom portion 32 a .
- the hard plate 33 is alternatively formed with the bottom portion 32 a of the projection unit 32 in an integral manner.
- a thin metallic plate 37 is provided as a flexible body.
- the metallic plate 37 is located above the communication hole 36 a and is placed at the predetermined position by the rubber rings G 2 between the separation wall 36 and the panel wall 39 .
- a certain level of the pressure change in the second chamber 35 causes the metallic plate 37 to bend.
- the pressure sensitive element 38 is mounted on the top of the metallic plate 37 , and the pressure sensitive element 38 is formed in a thin circular shape or a disk.
- the pressure sensitive element 38 and the thin metallic plate 37 output a voltage differential signal indicative of a pressure change in the second chamber 35 to the CPU 101 via lead wires L 1 and L 2 that are placed through the opening area 39 a of the panel wall 39 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 initially detects the pressure changes at the plate 33 which contacts the wrist 60 .
- the bottom wall 32 a is plated by the inflexible plate 33 such as certain hard metal. Since the metallic plate 33 on the bottom wall 32 a fails to flex in response to the arrived pulsation force, the traveled pulsation force in turn depresses and expands the flexible side walls 32 b . Consequently, the air pressure in the first chamber 34 is altered due to the depressed or expanded side walls 32 b , and the altered air pressure affects the air pressure in the second chamber 35 via the communication hole 36 a .
- the above described pressure change in the second chamber 35 subsequently deforms the metallic plate 37 as well as the pressure sensitive element 38 .
- the pressure sensitive element 38 generates an electrical signal indicative of the pressure change in the second chamber 34 .
- the communication hole 36 a acts as a dumper or a filter to substantially eliminate a high-frequency portion such as noise in the signal generated by the pulsation force.
- a air pressure changes in the first chamber 34 due to the noise the pressure change in the first chamber 34 is transferred through the communication hole 36 a .
- noise-like high-frequency components are filtered out due to a small amount of transfer at a time, and the air pressure in the second chamber 35 is not substantially affected. Consequently, the pressure sensitive element 38 is not sufficiently deformed to generate a signal indicative of the substantial pressure change in the second chamber 34 .
- an erroneous noise signal is substantially filtered out for the heartbeat measurement by the communication hole 36 a .
- FIG. 7B a diagram illustrates a further enlarged cross sectional view of the pressure sensitive element 38 and the metallic plate 37 according to the current invention.
- a first lead wire L 1 is soldered onto the top surface of the pressure sensitive element 38 via a first solder piece H 1 and is connected to the CPU 101 .
- a second lead wire L 2 is soldered onto the top surface of the metallic plate 37 via a second solder piece H 2 and is connected to the CPU 101 .
- the voltage difference is determined between the pressure sensitive element 38 and the metallic plate 37 at the CPU 101 .
- FIG. 8A a diagram illustrates an enlarged cross sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the isolated heartbeat detection unit 3 according to the current invention.
- the first chamber 34 and the second chamber 35 are formed by the panel wall 39 , the separation wall 36 and the projection unit 32 .
- the first chamber 34 has a substantially longer length than the second chamber 35 in the horizontal direction, the thickness of the first chamber 34 is not substantially different from that of the second chamber 35 in the vertical direction.
- the separation wall 36 further includes the air-tight projection portions 36 b , which protrude through the panel wall 39 to maintain the internal pressure in the second chamber 35 .
- the projection unit 32 further includes the bottom portion 32 a and the side portion 32 b that are integrally formed with each other.
- the plate 33 is optionally mounted on an inner bottom surface of the bottom portion 32 a .
- the plate 33 is alternatively formed with bottom portion 32 a of the projection unit 32 in an integral manner.
- a thin metallic plate 37 is provided as a flexible body.
- the metallic plate is located above the communication hole 36 a and is placed at the predetermined position by the rubber rings G 2 between the separation wall 36 and the panel wall 39 .
- a certain level of the pressure change in the second chamber 35 causes the metallic plate 37 to bend.
- the pressure sensitive element 38 is mounted on the top of the metallic plate 37 , and the pressure sensitive element 38 is formed in a thin circular shape or a disk.
- the pressure sensitive element 38 and the thin metallic plate 37 output a voltage differential signal indicative of a pressure change in the second chamber 35 to the CPU 101 via lead wires L 1 and L 2 that are placed through the opening area 39 a of the panel wall 39 .
- the heartbeat detection unit 3 initially detects the pressure changes at the plate 33 which contacts the wrist 60 .
- the bottom wall 32 a is plated by the inflexible plate 33 such as certain hard metal. Since the metallic plate 33 on the bottom wall 32 a fails to flex in response to the arrived pulsation force, the traveled pulsation force in turn depresses and expands the flexible side walls 32 b . Consequently, the air pressure in the first chamber 34 is altered due to the depressed or expanded side walls 32 b , and the altered air pressure affects the air pressure in the second chamber 35 via the communication hole 36 a .
- the above described pressure change in the second chamber 35 subsequently deforms the metallic plate 37 as well as the pressure sensitive element 38 .
- the pressure sensitive element 38 generates an electrical signal indicative of the pressure change in the second chamber 34 .
- the communication hole 36 a acts as a dumper or a filter to substantially eliminate a high-frequency portion such as noise in the signal generated by the pulsation force.
- a air pressure changes in the first chamber 34 due to the noise the pressure change in the first chamber 34 is transferred through the communication hole 36 a .
- noise-like high-frequency components are filtered out due to a small amount of transfer at a time, and the air pressure in the second chamber 35 is not substantially affected. Consequently, the pressure sensitive element 38 is not sufficiently deformed to generate a signal indicative of the substantial pressure change in the second chamber 34 .
- an erroneous noise signal is substantially filtered out for the heartbeat measurement by the communication hole 36 a .
- FIG. 8B a diagram illustrates a further enlarged cross sectional view of the pressure sensitive element 38 and the metallic plate 37 according to the current invention.
- a first lead wire L 1 is soldered onto the top surface of the pressure sensitive element 38 via a first solder piece H 1 and is connected to the CPU 101 .
- a second lead wire L 2 is soldered onto the top surface of the metallic plate 37 via a second solder piece H 2 and is connected to the CPU 101 .
- the metallic plate 37 is held down by the rubber rings G 2 at its edge portion, the pressure sensitive elements 38 and the metallic plate 37 are upwardly deformed towards the direction of the panel wall 39 in response to a pressure increase in the second chamber 35 .
- a central portion of the pressure sensitive element 38 and the metallic plate 37 is pushed upwardly while other portions also follow the central portion.
- the pressure sensitive element 38 outputs an electrical signal indicative of the above described deformation in proportion to an amount of the pressure change.
- the voltage difference is determined between the pressure sensitive element 38 and the metallic plate 37 at the CPU 101 .
- FIG. 9 a diagram illustrates a top view of the isolated heartbeat detection unit 3 according to the current invention.
- the pressure sensitive element 38 is concentrically located as both indicated by dotted circular lines.
- the metallic plate 37 is also concentrically located as indicated by a corresponding dotted circular line.
- the rubber rings G 2 hold the metallic plate 37 near its edge and are also indicated by a corresponding dotted circular line.
- the solder H 1 and H 2 are respectively placed near an edge surface of the pressure sensitive element 38 and the metallic plate 37 .
- the communication hole 39 a of FIGS. 7A and 8A is shown by a solid circular line.
- a graph illustrates a relationship between the sensitivity of the pressure sensitive element 38 and the size of the communication hole 36 a in the heartbeat detection unit 3 according to the current invention.
- the Y axis indicates a sensitivity level of the pressure sensitive element 38 in decibels while the X axis indicates the area ratio of the communication hole 36 a to the pressure sensitive element 38 .
- the sensitivity increases as the area of the communication hole 36 a becomes smaller with respect to the pressure sensitive element 38 .
- the sensitivity decreases as the area of the communication hole 36 a becomes larger with respect to the pressure sensitive element 38 .
- an accurate heartbeat measurement is obtained by substantially eliminating high-frequency components that are not related to the pulsation force of the heartbeat with an appropriately selected size of the communication hole 36 a .
- the appropriate size of the communication hole 36 a is equal to or less than approximately 1 mm in diameter according to the above described relation as shown in FIG. 10 . It is also desired to form the communication hole 36 a in the center of the panel wall 36 .
- FIGS. 11A and 11B graphs show exemplary heartbeat data as measured by the heartbeat measuring watch device 200 of the second preferred embodiment according to the current invention.
- FIG. 11A shows heartbeat pulses or wave forms al that are outputted by the pressure sensitive element 38 .
- the output amplitude is plotted in the X axis while the time in seconds is plotted in the Y axis.
- a peak of each wave is indicated by a reference AP.
- the above data was collected from a 31-year male subject wearing the heartbeat measuring watch device 200 .
- FIG. 11A shows heartbeat pulses or wave forms al that are outputted by the pressure sensitive element 38 .
- the output amplitude is plotted in the X axis while the time in seconds is plotted in the Y axis.
- a peak of each wave is indicated by a reference AP.
- the above data was collected from a 31-year male subject wearing the heartbeat measuring watch device 200 .
- 11B shows a frequency spectrum in hertz (Hz) in the X axis and the force varying strength in gram force (peak-to-peak) gf(p-p) in the Y axis.
- the above heartbeat pulse output from the pressure sensitive element 38 is converted into force strength values b 1 and plotted against the frequency.
- FIGS. 11C and 11D show exemplary heartbeat data as measured by the heartbeat measuring watch device 200 of the second preferred embodiment according to the current invention.
- FIG. 11C shows heartbeat pulse or wave forms cl that are outputted by the pressure sensitive element 38 .
- the output amplitude is plotted in the X axis while the time in seconds is plotted in the Y axis.
- a peak of each wave is indicated by a reference CP.
- the above data was collected from a 37-year female subject wearing the heartbeat measuring watch device 200 .
- FIG. 11C shows heartbeat pulse or wave forms cl that are outputted by the pressure sensitive element 38 .
- the output amplitude is plotted in the X axis while the time in seconds is plotted in the Y axis.
- a peak of each wave is indicated by a reference CP.
- the above data was collected from a 37-year female subject wearing the heartbeat measuring watch device 200 .
- 11D shows a frequency spectrum in hertz (Hz) in the X axis and the force varying strength in gram force (peak-to-peak) gf(p-p) in the Y axis.
- the above heartbeat pulse output from the pressure sensitive element 38 is converted into load strength values d 1 and plotted against the frequency.
- FIG. 12 a flow chart illustrates general steps involved in a preferred process of monitoring heartbeats according to the current invention.
- a user wears the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 around his or her wrist.
- the display unit 25 is placed over the wrist on the back of his hand and is tightened by strap 4 in the step S 10 . Since the pressure sensor or the heartbeat detection unit 3 is located below the display unit 25 , the heartbeat detection unit 3 makes a contact over the wrist on the back hand side rather than the palm side when the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 is worn in the above described manner.
- the user presses the predetermined switch button 2 A on the case 2 in order to initiate a heartbeat measurement in a step S 12 .
- the switch buttons 2 A 1 through 2 A 4 are connected to the input control unit 102 of FIG. 2 so that the CPU 101 reads a certain software program for the heartbeat measurement from the ROM 106 into the RAM 105 for execution.
- a software program is read according to a particular purpose or condition for the heartbeat measurement as indicated by the predetermined switch.
- the software program displays a message such as “Be still” or “Relax” in the display unit 25 via the display control unit 103 in a step S 14 .
- the heartbeat measurement is, of course, taken during any activities including exercises. For this reason, the above message is meant to be an exemplary and assumes that the user wants to be reminded to have a heartbeat measurement at rest. In any case, the user needs no particular act or needs to war no additional piece for the heartbeat measurement.
- the software program initiates the heartbeat measurement at the heartbeat detection unit 3 in a step S 16 . After the heartbeat measurement is completed in the step S 16 , the measurement result is outputted to a display unit 25 in a step S 18 . Thus, the preferred process of monitoring the heartbeat is completed.
- FIG. 13 a diagram illustrates an exemplary display output of a heartbeat measurement result according to the current invention.
- the display unit 25 is mounted on the front surface of the watch casing 2 between the straps 4 .
- the display unit generally indicates information that is determined by a default mode. In one setting, the default mode specifies that time and date are displayed. In another setting, the default mode specifies to display continuous heartbeat information.
- the default setting is modified by a combination of the inputs from the key switches 2 A 1 , 2 A 2 , 2 A 3 and 2 A 4 .
- the user is notified of the completion either by an audible sound and or a display.
- the display is optionally flashed for some time and includes the measurement result such as shown in a number of heartbeats per minute. In this example, 75 heartbeats per minute is displayed as a measurement result. After a predetermined amount of time, the display is automatically changed to a default display in a preferred embodiment. Alternatively, the displayed result remains until the user presses a predetermined switch.
- FIG. 14 a flow chart illustrates detailed steps involved in a preferred process of monitoring heartbeat according to the current invention. Although some components and units are referred in FIGS. 1 and 2 for the following description, the reference is made to facilitate the description of the preferred process and is not made to limit the implementation of the steps. In general, the following steps illustrated in FIG. 14 further describe the steps S 16 and S 18 of FIG. 12 .
- a step S 20 a user initiates a heartbeat measurement by pressing a predetermined switch. Upon the user initiation command, a predetermined timer is started in a step S 20 .
- a step S 22 it is determined whether or not heartbeat signals beyond a predetermined threshold level are detected within two seconds based upon heartbeat wave signals.
- step S 22 If it is determined in the step S 22 that the above specified signals are not detected within two seconds, the amplification of the heartbeat measuring signal is increased in a step S 24 . Subsequently, it is further determined in a step S 26 whether or not fifteen seconds have elapsed since the onset of the timer in the step S 20 . If it is determined in the step S 26 that fifteen seconds have not yet elapsed, the preferred process continues at the step S 22 . On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S 26 that fifteen seconds have already elapsed, the preferred process proceeds to a step S 28 , where an error message is displayed and subsequently terminates.
- step S 30 determines whether or not an interval between the consecutively detected heartbeat signals is within a predetermined amount of time. If it is determined in the step 30 that the interval is not within a predetermined amount of time, the preferred process proceeds to the step S 26 and follows the above described steps. On the other hand, if it is determined in the step 30 that the interval is within a predetermined amount of time, the detected interval time data is stored in memory in a step S 32 . In a subsequent step 34 , it is further determined whether or not the six time intervals have been stored in the memory.
- step S 34 If it is determined in the step S 34 that the six intervals have not been stored, the preferred process proceeds to the step S 26 and follows the above described steps. On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S 36 that the six intervals have been stored, an average interval value is calculated among the six stored intervals in a step S 36 . Lastly, it is determined in a step S 38 whether or not the average interval value is within a predetermined range, which is from approximately 300 ms or 200 beats per minute to approximately 2000 ms or 30 beats per minute. If it is determined in the step S 38 that the average interval value is not within the predetermined range, an error message is displayed in a step S 28 and the preferred process terminates. On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S 38 that the average interval value is within the predetermined range, the measured heartbeat information is displayed in a step S 40 , and the preferred process terminates.
- a predetermined range which is from approximately 300 ms or 200 beats per minute to approximately 2000 ms or 30
- FIG. 15 a diagram illustrates an exemplary message that is displayed on the display unit 25 of the heartbeat measuring watch device 100 during the heartbeat measurement according to the current invention.
- the heartbeat measurement is displayed only when the measured data satisfies a predetermined set of requirements. For example, even if certain requirements are met, when fifteen seconds have elapsed as indicated in the step S 26 since the data collection started, an error message is displayed in the step S 28 . Similarly, when the averaged interval of the measured signals exceeds the predetermined range, the error message is also displayed in the step S 28 .
- One of the error messages is shown in FIG. 15 to advise the user to “tighten the strap” before another heartbeat measurement.
- Pulsation force is caused by the expanding/contracting arteries in the wrist, and the pulsation force is transferred onto the strap.
- the strap is not sufficiently tightened around the wrist of the user during the heartbeat measurement, adequate heartbeat signals are not sampled by the heartbeat detection unit 3 since undesirable space between the wrist and the strap prevents the pulsation force from traveling the strap to the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
- the tightly worn strap promotes some tension in the strap so that the pulsation force efficiently travels along the strap towards the heartbeat detection unit 3 .
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Abstract
Description
- The current invention is generally related to a wearable heartbeat measuring device, and more particularly related to a wrist watch containing a two-room chamber heartbeat measuring device that can be worn around the wrist.
- Portable heart monitors and blood pressure monitors have been known. Some of these monitors incorporate watch functions and are worn on the wrist of the user. The display on the watch indicates time and or date. Furthermore, the user selects a certain mode to monitor either blood pressure or heartbeat. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Hei 8-299292, after the user selects a heartbeat monitor mode, the display indicates a number of heartbeats per minute. However, to measure heartbeats, a small cuff must be additionally worn on a finger tip by the user.
- Japanese Publication 62-292137 discloses another example of a blood pressure monitor. A wrist watch incorporates a blood pressure monitor. An inflatable tubular cuff has been incorporated in the wrist band or the straps. The cuff is connected to a pressure measuring chamber, and a pressure sensor is located in the pressure chamber. Upon selecting a blood pressure measuring mode, the user manually pumps air into the cuff in order to inflate the cuff against the arteries in the wrist. The intermittently inflated cuff contains air whose pressure is measured by the pressure sensor. The measured pressure change is calculated to display the blood pressure at the display.
- As described above, in prior art, to measure either blood pressure or heartbeat, the user must perform additional tasks. According to the above examples, the user must wear an additional finger piece for the heartbeat measurement or must pump the air into the cuff for the blood pressure measurement.
- In addition, the above described prior,art techniques also encounter noise. One source of the noise is associated with the movements of the wrist. In order to measure the blood pressure, the cuff must be sufficiently inflated around the entire circumference of the wrist so as to detect the pressure change in the arteries. Because of the snug contact, certain wrist movements also cause undesirable and indistinguishable pressure change. Another source of the noise is associated with small high-frequency components that are not caused by arterial movement.
- For the above reasons, it remains desired to develop a method, device and system to measure the arterial movement by a wearable watch device without any additional component and at a high accuracy.
- In order to solve the above and other problems, according to a first aspect of the current invention, a wearable heartbeat measuring device, including: a heartbeat detection unit for detecting an arterial movement indicative of a heartbeat around the wrist to generate a heartbeat signal; and a wrist strap for supporting the heartbeat detection unit near a top portion of the wrist, the wrist strap having a flexible portion and a inflexible portion, the inflexible portion extending from the heartbeat detection unit and having a predetermined angle and a predetermined width with respect to the wrist so as to form a predetermined amount of space between the wrist and the strap near the top portion of the wrist.
- According to the second aspect of the current invention, a wearable heartbeat measuring device, including: a heartbeat detection unit for detecting an arterial movement indicative of a heartbeat around the wrist to generate a heartbeat signal; and a wrist strap for supporting the heartbeat detection unit near a top portion of the wrist, the wrist strap having a flexible portion and a inflexible portion, the inflexible portion extending from the heartbeat detection unit and having a predetermined angle and a predetermined width that exceeds the wrist so as to form a predetermined amount of space between the wrist and the strap near the top portion of the wrist.
- According to the third aspect of the current invention, a heartbeat detection device, including: a first unit having a first flexible enclosed area for forming a first chamber, a pressure in the first chamber changing in response to an externally applied pressure; a second unit having a second enclosed area located adjacent to the first chamber for forming a second chamber, the second chamber having a pressure sensitive element for generating a signal indicative of a pressure change; and a separation wall located between the first unit and the second unit, the separation wall having a communication hole for connecting the first chamber and the second chamber.
- According to the fourth aspect of the current invention, a method of measuring a heartbeat by wearing a heartbeat detection unit around the wrist with a strap, including the steps of: forming a substantially flat area on the strap at a bottom portion of the wrist near the ulnar artery and the radial artery; maintaining a contact between the wrist and the substantially flat area on the strap during the heartbeat measurement; maintaining a space between the wrist and the strap near a top portion of the wrist the heartbeat detection unit during the heartbeat measurement; and detecting a heartbeat by a pressure change in a first chamber at the heartbeat detection unit.
- According to the fifth aspect of the current invention, a method of measuring a heartbeat by wearing a heartbeat detection unit around the wrist with a strap, including the steps of: forming a substantially flat area on the strap at a bottom portion of the wrist near the ulnar artery and the radial artery; maintaining a contact between the wrist and the substantially flat area on the strap during the heartbeat measurement; maintaining a width of the strap with respect to the wrist for a space between the wrist and the strap near a top portion of the wrist the heartbeat detection unit during the heartbeat measurement; and detecting a heartbeat by a pressure change in a first chamber at the heartbeat detection unit.
- According to the sixth aspect of the current invention, a method of measuring a heartbeat including steps of: detecting a heartbeat by a pressure change in a first chamber at the heartbeat detection unit; filtering high-frequency components of the pressure change via communication hole to a second chamber at the heartbeat detection unit; transferring the pressure change to the second chamber at the heartbeat detection unit via the communication hole; and converting the pressure change in the second chamber to a proportional electrical signal at the heartbeat detection unit.
- These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
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FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a front view of one preferred embodiment of a heartbeat measuring watch device according to the current invention. -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating certain components of the heartbeat measuring watch device according to the current invention. -
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a cross sectional view along a line III-III ofFIG. 1 of the heartbeat measuring watch device in a first preferred embodiment according to the current invention. -
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cross sectional view of the heartbeat measuring watch device in a second preferred embodiment according to the current invention. -
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a cross sectional view of the heartbeat measuring watch device in a third preferred embodiment according to the current invention. -
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a cross sectional view of the heartbeat measuring watch device in a fourth preferred embodiment according to the current invention. -
FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an enlarged cross sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of the isolated heartbeat detection unit according to the current invention. -
FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a further enlarged cross sectional view of the pressure sensitive element and the metallic plate according to the current invention. -
FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an enlarged cross sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the isolated heartbeat detection unit according to the current invention. -
FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a further enlarged cross sectional view of the pressure sensitive element and the metallic plate according to the current invention. -
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a top view of the isolated heartbeat detection unit according to the current invention. -
FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a relationship between the sensitivity of the pressure sensitive element and the size of the communication hole in the heartbeat detection unit according to the current invention. -
FIGS. 11A and 11B are graphs showing exemplary heartbeat data as measured by the heartbeat measuring watch device in the second preferred embodiment according to the current invention. -
FIGS. 11C and 11D are graphs showing exemplary heartbeat data as measured by the heartbeat measuring watch device in the second preferred embodiment according to the current invention. -
FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating general steps involved in a preferred process of monitoring heartbeat according to the current invention. -
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary display output of a heartbeat measurement result according to the current invention. -
FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating detailed steps involved in a preferred process of monitoring heartbeat according to the current invention. -
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary message that is displayed on the display unit of the heartbeat measuring watch device during the heartbeat measurement according to the current invention. - Based upon incorporation by external reference, the current application incorporates all disclosures in the corresponding foreign priority documents (2003-209554, 2003-385271) from which the current application claims priority.
- Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structures throughout the views, and referring in particular to
FIG. 1 , a diagram illustrates a front view of one preferred embodiment of a heartbeat measuringwatch device 100 according to the current invention. The heartbeat measuringwatch device 100 includes a watch casing orhousing 2 and a strap orbelt 4 removably placing around the wrist of a user. One end of each of the twostraps 4 is connected at a protruding portion or extendedcasing portion 12 of thewatch casing 2, and the other end of thestraps 4 is removably connectable with each other via a clasp or some other means that are not illustrated inFIG. 1 . The extendedcasing portion 12 extends away from an edge of thecasing 2 around the wrist to provide a certain width to thecasing 2. The above casing width allows the user to strap the heartbeat measuringwatch device 100 around the wrist via thestraps 4 in a certain manner as will be described later with respect to cross sectional view. In the following preferred embodiments including this one, the width of thestraps 4, thecasing 2 and theextended casing portion 12 or their equivalents is defined to be a combined width of thestraps 4, theextended casing portion 12 and thecasing 2 or their equivalents in the strapping direction along a line III-Ill when viewed from top as shown inFIG. 1 . Although thestraps 4 are bendable, they are made of certain non-stretchable material so that force caused by the pulse or heartbeat around the wrist is transmitted through thestraps 4 when thestraps 4 are worn around the wrist in a sufficiently tight manner. - Still referring to
FIG. 1 , the heartbeat measuringwatch device 100 further includes adisplay unit 25 for displaying various information. Thedisplay unit 25 is implemented by a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and is mounted on or in thecasing 2. The information includes certain combinations of information on time, date, heartbeat and predetermined others. The information is also selected by the user command via selection keys or switches 2A1 through 2A4. A certain predetermined combinations of the selection keys 2A1 through 2A4 allows the user to adjust the information such as time and date, to initiate a desired command such as a heartbeat measurement process or to respond to a message displayed on the heartbeat measuringwatch device 100. Although four selection keys 2A1 through 2A4 are shown in this preferred embodiment, a number of the selection keys is not limited to a certain number according to the current invention. Furthermore, thedisplay unit 25 is optionally lit in response to a user command or a light level so that the displayed information is read in the dark. -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating certain components of the heartbeat measuringwatch device 100 according to the current invention. The following predetermined elements or units are located in or around thecasing 2 of the heartbeat measuringwatch device 100. In general, a central processing unit (CPU) 101 receives an input from a user via aninput control unit 102 and initiates a certain corresponding task by executing a predetermined software program in a random access memory (RAM) 105. In other situations, theCPU 101 instructs adisplay control unit 103 to output a display. In response to the display output, the user inputs a command. The software programs include system/application programs for keeping time and data as well as for measuring the heartbeat. These programs are stored in a read only memory (ROM) 106, and theCPU 101 reads a software program into theRAM 105 in response to a certain command. One of the user commands is to initiate a heartbeat measurement at a heartbeat detection unit orheart monitor 3. After theheartbeat detection unit 3 receives signals from a pressuresensitive element 38, theheartbeat detection unit 3 sends the data to theCPU 101 and the corresponding heartbeat measurement software program. Upon completing the heartbeat measurement, theCPU 101 selectively instructs thedisplay control unit 103 to display the measurement result. Anoscillator 109 generates an oscillation signal for the watch function. The oscillation signal is inputted into aclock circuit 108, and the CPU also selectively instructs thedisplay control unit 103 to output the time and or date information. The above mentioned units or components except for theoscillation circuit 109 and the pressuresensitive element 38 are directly connected with each other via acommon bus 113. - Now referring to
FIG. 3 , a diagram illustrates a cross sectional view along a line III-III ofFIG. 1 of the heartbeat measuringwatch device 100 in a first preferred embodiment according to the current invention. Theheartbeat detection unit 3 is mounted on a bottom surface of the time keeping unit I that is located in the inflexible orhard casing body 2. On the top surface of thetime keeping unit 1, adisplay unit 25 is covered by a transparent watch display cover orglass 5. Theheartbeat detection unit 3 is fixed to thecasing 2 by components N such as screws via rubber rings G1. Edges of thecasing 2 are respectively connected to one end offlexible straps extended casing portion 12. In general, thestraps wrist 60 without expansion. The other end of thestraps fastening mechanism 4C such as a buckle to engage with each other so that the heartbeat measuringwatch device 100 is adjustably worn around awrist 60. Thus, theheartbeat detection unit 3 contacts the upper portion ortop portion 60 a of theuser wrist 60 when the heartbeat measuringwatch device 100 is worn as indicated inFIG. 3 . - In further detail, the heartbeat measuring
watch device 100 detects the heartbeat from thewrist 60. In thewrist 60, theulnar artery 63 and theradial artery 64 are respectively located below theulna 61 and theradius 62 and are positioned near a bottom portion of the joined straps 4A and 4B or thefastening mechanism 4C. The twoarteries straps arteries arteries straps straps heartbeat detection unit 3 via theextended casing portion 12 and thecasing 2. - The
extended casing portion 12 extends from thecasing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide an additional width or horizontal dimension to thecasing 2. The predetermined angle and the width of theextended casing portion 12 substantially facilitate theflexible straps fastening mechanism 4C in order to ascertain snug contact over thebottom portion 60 b of thewrist 60 for efficiently initiating the transfer of the pulsation force. The predetermined angle and the predetermined width of theextended casing portion 12 also form the space SI with thecasing 2, thestraps top portion 60 a of thewrist 60 near theheartbeat detection unit 3. Because theextended casing portion 12 is made of hard material, the flexing movement of thewrist 60 is confined in the space SI, and the upper side portions of thewrist 60 fail to touch the corresponding upper side area of theflexible straps straps heartbeat detection unit 3. Thus, the total width of thecasing 2, theextended casing portion 12 and thestraps wrist 60 in the first preferred embodiment. - Still referring to
FIG. 3 , theheartbeat detection unit 3 detects the pulsation force that is caused by the arterial expansion and contraction in thewrist 60. Theheartbeat detection unit 3 further includes afirst chamber 34 and asecond chamber 35. Although thefirst chamber 34 and thesecond chamber 35 are connected by acommunication hole 36 a, they are substantially separated by aseparation wall 36. Thecommunication hole 36 a is located at a substantially central portion of theseparation wall 36. A top or ceiling wall of thesecond chamber 35 is formed by a partially overlapping layer of a pressuresensitive element 38 and ametallic plate 37. A part of the overlapping layer is sandwiched between theseparation wall 36 and apanel wall 39 via rubber rings G2. Thepanel wall 39 has an openingportion 39 a, through which lead wires L access the pressuresensitive element 38 and themetallic plate 37. Theseparation material 36 further includes air-tight protruding portions 36 b that extend through thepanel wall 39 in order to maintain the internal pressure in thesecond chamber 35 by pressing thepanel wall 39 against the rubber rings G2. The air-tight protruding portions 36 b are fused or affixed to thepanel wall 39. Thefirst chamber 34 projects towards thewrist 60. A bottom orfloor wall 32 a andside walls 32 b of thefirst chamber 34 are uniformly or integrally formed by aprojection unit 32. The 30bottom wall 32 a is plated by aninflexible plate 33 such as certain hard metal. Theprojection unit 32 is made of a certainflexible insulation material 31 such as urethane, silicon or synthetic rubber. Theinsulation material 31 maintains the internal pressure in thefirst chamber 34. An edge portion of theprojection unit 32, theseparation wall 36 and thepanel wall 39 are screwed together to thecasing 2 by a screw N in order to maintain the internal pressure of theheartbeat detection unit 3. To further maintain the internal pressure of thecasing 2, the above screwed edge portions are pressed against the rubber rings G1 located near the screw N. - Now referring to
FIG. 4 , a diagram illustrates a cross sectional view of the heartbeat measuringwatch device 200 in a second preferred embodiment according to the current invention. Theheartbeat detection unit 3 is mounted on a bottom surface of thetime keeping unit 1 that is located in the inflexible orhard casing body 2. On the top surface of thetime keeping unit 1, adisplay unit 25 is covered by a transparentwatch display cover 5. Theheartbeat detection unit 3 is fixed to thecasing 2 by components N such as screws via rubber rings G1. Anextended casing portion 12 extends from thecasing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide an additional width or horizontal dimension to thecasing 2. Theextended casing portion 12 then connects to an adjustablyextended casing portion 51, which is made of inflexible material such as hard resin or metal in order to further adjust the width or horizontal dimension. The adjustablyextended casing portion 51 further includes a connectingpin 82 and a plurality of connectingholes 81 for adjusting the width with respect to thewrist 60 of a user. The other end of the adjustablyextended casing portions 51 is respectively connected to one end ofstraps wrist 60 without expansion. The other end of thestraps fastening mechanism 52C such as a buckle to engage with each other so that the heartbeat measuringwatch device 200 is adjustably worn around thewrist 60. Thus, theheartbeat detection unit 3 contacts the upper portion ortop portion 60 a of theuser wrist 60 when the heartbeat measuringwatch device 200 is worn as indicated inFIG. 4 . - In the further detail, the heartbeat measuring
watch device 100 detects the heartbeat from thewrist 60. In thewrist 60, theulnar artery 63 and theradial artery 64 are respectively located below theulna 61 and theradius 62 and positioned near a bottom portion of the joined straps 52A and 52B or thefastening mechanism 52C. The twoarteries straps arteries arteries straps straps heartbeat detection unit 3 via theextended casing portions 51, theextended casing portion 12 and thecasing 2. - The
extended casing portion 12 and the adjustablyextended casing portion 51 extend from thecasing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide an additional width or horizontal dimension to thecasing 2. The predetermined angle and the width of theextended casing portion 12 and the adjustablyextended casing portion 51 substantially facilitate theflexible straps fastening mechanism 52C in order to ascertain snug contact over thebottom portion 60 b of thewrist 60 for efficiently initiating the transfer of the pulsation force. The predetermined angle and the predetermined width of theextended casing portion 12 and the adjustablyextended casing portion 51 also form the space S2 with thecasing 2, thestraps top portion 60 a of thewrist 60 near theheartbeat detection unit 3. The space S2 ofFIG. 4 is optionally larger than the space SI as shown inFIG. 3 since the adjustablyextended casing portion 51 and thestraps lateral sides 60S of thewrist 60. Because theextended casing portion 12 and the adjustablyextended casing portion 51 are made of hard material, the flexing movement of thewrist 60 is confined in the space S2, and the upper side portions of thewrist 60 fail to touch the corresponding upper side area of the adjustablyextended casing portion 51 or theflexible straps straps extended casing portion 51 towards theheartbeat detection unit 3. Thus, the total width of thecasing 2, theextended casing portion 12, the adjustablyextended casing portion 51 and thestraps wrist 60 in the second preferred embodiment. - Still referring to
FIG. 4 , theheartbeat detection unit 3 detects the pulsation force that is caused by the arterial expansion and contraction in thewrist 60. Theheartbeat detection unit 3 further includes afirst chamber 34 and asecond chamber 35. Although thefirst chamber 34 and thesecond chamber 35 are connected by acommunication hole 36 a, they are substantially separated by aseparation wall 36. Thecommunication hole 36 a is located at a substantially central portion of theseparation wall 36. A top or ceiling wall of thesecond chamber 35 is formed by a partially overlapping layer of a pressuresensitive element 38 and ametallic plate 37. A part of the overlapping layer is sandwiched between theseparation wall 36 and apanel wall 39 via rubber rings G2. Thepanel wall 39 has an openingportion 39 a, through which lead wires L access the pressuresensitive element 38 and themetallic plate 37. Theseparation material 36 further includes air-tight protruding portions 36 b that extend through thepanel wall 39 in order to maintain the internal pressure in thesecond chamber 35 by pressing thepanel wall 39 against the rubber rings G2. The air-tight protruding portions 36 b are fused or affixed to thepanel wall 39. Thefirst chamber 34 projects towards thewrist 60. A bottom orfloor wall 32 a andside walls 32 b of thefirst chamber 34 are uniformly or integrally formed by aprojection unit 32. Thebottom wall 32 a is plated by aninflexible plate 33 such as certain hard metal. Theprojection unit 32 is made of a certainflexible insulation material 31 such as urethane, silicon or synthetic rubber. Theinsulation material 31 maintains the internal pressure in thefirst chamber 34. An edge portion of theprojection unit 32, theseparation wall 36 and thepanel wall 39 are screwed together to thecasing 2 by the screw N in order to maintain the internal pressure of theheartbeat detection unit 3. To further maintain the internal pressure of thecasing 2, the above screwed edge portions are pressed against the rubber rings G1 located near the screw N. - Now referring to
FIG. 5 , a diagram illustrates a cross sectional view of the heartbeat measuringwatch device 300 in a third preferred embodiment according to the current invention. Theheartbeat detection unit 3 is mounted on a bottom surface of thetime keeping unit 1 that is located in thecasing body 2. On the top surface of thetime keeping unit 1, adisplay unit 25 is covered by a transparentwatch display cover 5. Theheartbeat detection unit 3 is fixed to thecasing 2 by components N such as screws via rubber rings G1. Anextended casing portion 12B extends from thecasing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide a predetermined width or horizontal dimension to thecasing 2. Theextended casing portion 12B further extends downward to form an extendedside strap portion 10 a. Theextended casing portion 12B and the extendedside strap portion 10 a are made of inflexible material such as hard resin or metal and are integrally formed. The end of the extendedside strap portions 10 a is removably connected to one end ofstraps wrist 60 without expansion. At the juncture, the extendedside strap portions 10 a and thestraps connection hole 81 a and are connected by a connectingpin 82 a in theconnection hole 81 a. The other end of thestraps fastening mechanism 53C such as a buckle to engage with each other so that the heartbeat measuringwatch device 300 is adjustably worn around thewrist 60. Thus, theheartbeat detection unit 3 contacts the upper portion or top portion of 60 a of theuser wrist 60 when the heartbeat measuringwatch device 300 is worn as indicated inFIG. 5 . - In further detail, the heartbeat measuring
watch device 300 detects the heartbeat from thewrist 60. In thewrist 60, theulnar artery 63 and theradial artery 64 are respectively located below the,ulna 61 and theradius 62 and positioned near a bottom portion of the joined straps 53A and 53B or thefastening mechanism 53C. The twoarteries straps arteries arteries straps straps heartbeat detection unit 3 via the extendedside strap portions 10 a, theextended casing portion 12B and thecasing 2. - The
extended casing portion 12B extends from thecasing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide an additional width or horizontal dimension to thecasing 2. The predetermined angle and the predetermined width of theextended casing portion 12B substantially facilitate theflexible straps fastening mechanism 53C in order to ascertain snug contact over thebottom portion 60 b of thewrist 60 for efficiently initiating the transfer of the pulsation force. The predetermined angle and the predetermined width of theextended casing portion 12B and the extendedside strap portions 10 a also form the space S3 with thecasing 2, thestraps upper portion 60 a of thewrist 60 near theheartbeat detection unit 3. The space S3 ofFIG. 5 is optionally larger than the space SI as shown inFIG. 3 since the extendedside strap portions 10 a and thestraps lateral sides 60S of thewrist 60. Because theextended casing portion 12B and the extendedside strap portions 10 a are made of hard material, the flexing movement of thewrist 60 is confined in the space S3, and the upper side portions of thewrist 60 fail to touch the corresponding upper side area of theextended casing portion 12B, the extendedside strap portions 10 a or theflexible straps straps side strap portions 10 a and theextended casing portion 12B towards theheartbeat detection unit 3. Thus, the total width of thecasing 2, theextended casing portion 12B, the extendedside strap portions 10 a and thestraps wrist 60 in the third preferred embodiment. Alternatively, theextended casing portion 10, the extendedside strap portions 10 a and thestraps - Still referring to
FIG. 5 , theheartbeat detection unit 3 detects the pulsation force that is caused by the arterial expansion and contraction in thewrist 60. Theheartbeat detection unit 3 further includes afirst chamber 34 and asecond chamber 35. Although thefirst chamber 34 and thesecond chamber 35 are connected by acommunication hole 36 a, they are substantially separated by aseparation wall 36. Thecommunication hole 36 a is located at a substantially central portion of theseparation wall 36. A top or ceiling wall of thesecond chamber 35 is formed by a partially overlapping layer of a pressuresensitive element 38 and ametallic plate 37. A part of the overlapping layer is sandwiched between theseparation wall 36 and apanel wall 39 via rubber rings G2. Thepanel wall 39 has an openingportion 39 a, through which lead wires L access the pressuresensitive element 38 and themetallic plate 37. Theseparation material 36 further includes air-tight protruding portions 36 b that extend through thepanel wall 39 in order to maintain the internal pressure in thesecond chamber 35 by pressing thepanel wall 39 against the rubber rings G2. The air-tight protruding portions 36 b are fused or affixed to thepanel wall 39. Thefirst chamber 34 projects towards thewrist 60. A bottom orfloor wall 32 a andside walls 32 b of thefirst chamber 34 are uniformly or integrally formed by aprojection unit 32. Thebottom wall 32 a is plated by aninflexible plate 33 such as certain hard metal. Theprojection unit 32 is made of a certainflexible insulation material 31 such as urethane, silicon or synthetic rubber. Theinsulation material 31 maintains the internal pressure in thefirst chamber 34. An edge portion of theprojection unit 32, theseparation wall 36 and thepanel wall 39 are screwed together to thecasing 2 by the screw N in order to maintain the internal pressure of theheartbeat detection unit 3. To further maintain the internal pressure of thecasing 2, the above screwed edge portions are pressed against the rubber rings G1 located near the screw N. - Now referring to
FIG. 6 , a diagram illustrates a cross sectional view of the heartbeat measuringwatch device 400 in a fourth preferred embodiment according to the current invention. Theheartbeat detection unit 3 is mounted on a bottom surface of thetime keeping unit 1 that is located in thecasing body 2. On the top surface of thetime keeping unit 1, adisplay unit 25 is covered by a transparentwatch display cover 5. Theheartbeat detection unit 3 is fixed to thecasing 2 by components N such as screws via rubber rings G1. Anextended casing portion 12A extends from thecasing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide a predetermined width or horizontal dimension to thecasing 2. Theextended casing portion 12A is made of inflexible material such as hard resin or metal and is integrally formed with thecasing 2. The end of theextended casing portion 12A is removably connected to one end ofstraps wrist 60 without expansion. At the juncture, theextended casing portion 12A and thestraps connection hole 81 b and are connected by a connectingpin 82 b in theconnection hole 81 b. The juncture allows some adjustment as thestraps pins 82 b. The other end of thestraps fastening mechanism 54C such as a buckle to engage with each other so that the heartbeat measuringwatch device 400 is adjustably worn around thewrist 60. Thus, theheartbeat detection unit 3 contacts the upper portion ortop portion 60 a of theuser wrist 60 when the heartbeat measuringwatch device 400 is worn as indicated inFIG. 6 . - In further detail, the heartbeat measuring
watch device 400 detects the heartbeat from thewrist 60. In thewrist 60, theulnar artery 63 and theradial artery 64 are respectively located below the,ulna 61 and theradius 62 and positioned near a bottom portion of the joined straps 54A and 54B or thefastening mechanism 54C. The twoarteries straps arteries arteries straps straps heartbeat detection unit 3 via theextended casing portion 12A and thecasing 2. - The
extended casing portion 12A extends from thecasing 2 at a predetermined angle as indicated by an arrow in order to provide an additional width or horizontal dimension to thecasing 2. The predetermined angle and the predetermined width of theextended casing portion 12A substantially facilitate theflexible straps fastening mechanism 54C in order to ascertain snug contact over thebottom portion 60 b of thewrist 60 for efficiently initiating the transfer of the pulsation force. The predetermined angle and the predetermined width of theextended casing portion 12A also form the space S4 with thecasing 2, thestraps top portion 60 a of thewrist 60 near theheartbeat detection unit 3. Because theextended casing portion 12A is made of hard material, the flexing movement of thewrist 60 is confined in the space S4, and the upper side portions of thewrist 60 fail to touch the corresponding upper side area of theflexible straps extended casing portion 12A. The lack of the above skin contact also substantially promotes the efficient transfer of the pulsation force along thestraps extended casing portion 12A towards theheartbeat detection unit 3. Thus, the total width of thecasing 2, theextended casing portion 12A and thestraps wrist 60 in the fourth preferred embodiment. - Still referring to
FIG. 6 , theheartbeat detection unit 3 detects the pulsation force that is caused by the arterial expansion and contraction in thewrist 60. Theheartbeat detection unit 3 further includes afirst chamber 34 and asecond chamber 35. Although thefirst chamber 34 and thesecond chamber 35 are connected by acommunication hole 36 a, they are substantially separated by aseparation wall 36. Thecommunication hole 36 a is located at a substantially central portion of theseparation wall 36. A top or ceiling wall of thesecond chamber 35 is formed by a partially overlapping layer of a pressuresensitive element 38 and ametallic plate 37. A part of the overlapping layer is sandwiched between theseparation wall 36 and apanel wall 39 via rubber rings G2. Thepanel wall 39 has an openingportion 39 a, through which lead wires L access the pressuresensitive element 38 and themetallic plate 37. Theseparation material 36 further includes air-tight protruding portions 36 b that extend through thepanel wall 39 in order to maintain the internal pressure in thesecond chamber 35 by pressing thepanel wall 39 against the rubber rings G2. The air-tight protruding portions 36 b are fused or affixed to thepanel wall 39. Thefirst chamber 34 projects towards thewrist 60. A bottom orfloor wall 32 a andside walls 32 b of thefirst chamber 34 are uniformly or integrally formed by aprojection unit 32. Thebottom wall 32 a is plated by aninflexible plate 33 such as certain hard metal. Theprojection unit 32 is made of a certainflexible insulation material 31 such as urethane, silicon or synthetic rubber. Theinsulation material 31 maintains the internal pressure in thefirst chamber 34. An edge portion of theprojection unit 32, theseparation wall 36 and thepanel wall 39 are screwed together to thecasing 2 by the screw N in order to maintain the internal pressure of theheartbeat detection unit 3. To further maintain the internal pressure of thecasing 2, the above screwed edge portions are pressed against the rubber rings G1 located near the screw N. - With respect to
FIGS. 3, 4 , 5 and 6, the first, second, third and fourth preferred embodiments are described to have theheartbeat detection unit 3 on the bottom surface of thetime keeping unit 1 that is located in thecasing body 2. In an alternative embodiment to the first, second, third or fourth preferred embodiment, theheartbeat detection unit 3 is mounted directly on thestrap time keeping unit 1. If the user wears the alternative embodiment as described above with respect toFIGS. 3, 4 , 5 and 6, theheartbeat detection unit 3 is located near theulnar artery 63 and theradial artery 64. In the above described alternative embodiment, other units or portions are correspondingly altered. For example, theheartbeat detection unit 3 is operationally connected to other units such as theCPU 101 in order to transmit electrical signals indicative of the detected heartbeats. - Now referring to
FIG. 7A , a diagram illustrates an enlarged cross sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of the isolatedheartbeat detection unit 3 according to the current invention. Thefirst chamber 34 and thesecond chamber 35 are formed by thepanel wall 39, theseparation wall 36 and theprojection unit 32. In this preferred embodiment, thefirst chamber 34 is formed substantially larger than thesecond chamber 35. Theseparation wall 36 further includes the air-tight projection portions 36 b, which protrude through thepanel wall 39 to maintain the internal pressure in thesecond chamber 35. Theprojection unit 32 further includes thebottom portion 32 a and theside portion 32 b that are integrally formed with each other. Thehard plate 33 is optionally mounted on an inner bottom surface of thebottom portion 32 a. Thehard plate 33 is alternatively formed with thebottom portion 32 a of theprojection unit 32 in an integral manner. - Between the
panel wall 39 and theseparation wall 36, a thinmetallic plate 37 is provided as a flexible body. Themetallic plate 37 is located above thecommunication hole 36 a and is placed at the predetermined position by the rubber rings G2 between theseparation wall 36 and thepanel wall 39. A certain level of the pressure change in thesecond chamber 35 causes themetallic plate 37 to bend. The pressuresensitive element 38 is mounted on the top of themetallic plate 37, and the pressuresensitive element 38 is formed in a thin circular shape or a disk. The pressuresensitive element 38 and the thinmetallic plate 37 output a voltage differential signal indicative of a pressure change in thesecond chamber 35 to theCPU 101 via lead wires L1 and L2 that are placed through theopening area 39 a of thepanel wall 39. - Still referring to
FIG. 7A , theheartbeat detection unit 3 initially detects the pressure changes at theplate 33 which contacts thewrist 60. As described above, thebottom wall 32 a is plated by theinflexible plate 33 such as certain hard metal. Since themetallic plate 33 on thebottom wall 32 a fails to flex in response to the arrived pulsation force, the traveled pulsation force in turn depresses and expands theflexible side walls 32 b. Consequently, the air pressure in thefirst chamber 34 is altered due to the depressed or expandedside walls 32 b, and the altered air pressure affects the air pressure in thesecond chamber 35 via thecommunication hole 36 a. The above described pressure change in thesecond chamber 35 subsequently deforms themetallic plate 37 as well as the pressuresensitive element 38. The pressuresensitive element 38 generates an electrical signal indicative of the pressure change in thesecond chamber 34. - The
communication hole 36 a acts as a dumper or a filter to substantially eliminate a high-frequency portion such as noise in the signal generated by the pulsation force. As a air pressure changes in thefirst chamber 34 due to the noise, the pressure change in thefirst chamber 34 is transferred through thecommunication hole 36 a. During the limited passage through thecommunication hole 36 a, noise-like high-frequency components are filtered out due to a small amount of transfer at a time, and the air pressure in thesecond chamber 35 is not substantially affected. Consequently, the pressuresensitive element 38 is not sufficiently deformed to generate a signal indicative of the substantial pressure change in thesecond chamber 34. Thus, an erroneous noise signal is substantially filtered out for the heartbeat measurement by thecommunication hole 36 a. - Now referring to
FIG. 7B , a diagram illustrates a further enlarged cross sectional view of the pressuresensitive element 38 and themetallic plate 37 according to the current invention. A first lead wire L1 is soldered onto the top surface of the pressuresensitive element 38 via a first solder piece H1 and is connected to theCPU 101. Similarly, a second lead wire L2 is soldered onto the top surface of themetallic plate 37 via a second solder piece H2 and is connected to theCPU 101. Thus, the voltage difference is determined between the pressuresensitive element 38 and themetallic plate 37 at theCPU 101. - Now referring to
FIG. 8A , a diagram illustrates an enlarged cross sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the isolatedheartbeat detection unit 3 according to the current invention. Thefirst chamber 34 and thesecond chamber 35 are formed by thepanel wall 39, theseparation wall 36 and theprojection unit 32. In this preferred embodiment, although thefirst chamber 34 has a substantially longer length than thesecond chamber 35 in the horizontal direction, the thickness of thefirst chamber 34 is not substantially different from that of thesecond chamber 35 in the vertical direction. Theseparation wall 36 further includes the air-tight projection portions 36 b, which protrude through thepanel wall 39 to maintain the internal pressure in thesecond chamber 35. Theprojection unit 32 further includes thebottom portion 32 a and theside portion 32 b that are integrally formed with each other. Theplate 33 is optionally mounted on an inner bottom surface of thebottom portion 32 a. Theplate 33 is alternatively formed withbottom portion 32 a of theprojection unit 32 in an integral manner. - Between the
panel wall 39 and theseparation wall 36, a thinmetallic plate 37 is provided as a flexible body. The metallic plate is located above thecommunication hole 36 a and is placed at the predetermined position by the rubber rings G2 between theseparation wall 36 and thepanel wall 39. A certain level of the pressure change in thesecond chamber 35 causes themetallic plate 37 to bend. The pressuresensitive element 38 is mounted on the top of themetallic plate 37, and the pressuresensitive element 38 is formed in a thin circular shape or a disk. The pressuresensitive element 38 and the thinmetallic plate 37 output a voltage differential signal indicative of a pressure change in thesecond chamber 35 to theCPU 101 via lead wires L1 and L2 that are placed through theopening area 39 a of thepanel wall 39. - Still referring to
FIG. 8A , theheartbeat detection unit 3 initially detects the pressure changes at theplate 33 which contacts thewrist 60. As described above, thebottom wall 32 a is plated by theinflexible plate 33 such as certain hard metal. Since themetallic plate 33 on thebottom wall 32 a fails to flex in response to the arrived pulsation force, the traveled pulsation force in turn depresses and expands theflexible side walls 32 b. Consequently, the air pressure in thefirst chamber 34 is altered due to the depressed or expandedside walls 32 b, and the altered air pressure affects the air pressure in thesecond chamber 35 via thecommunication hole 36 a. The above described pressure change in thesecond chamber 35 subsequently deforms themetallic plate 37 as well as the pressuresensitive element 38. The pressuresensitive element 38 generates an electrical signal indicative of the pressure change in thesecond chamber 34. - The
communication hole 36 a acts as a dumper or a filter to substantially eliminate a high-frequency portion such as noise in the signal generated by the pulsation force. As a air pressure changes in thefirst chamber 34 due to the noise, the pressure change in thefirst chamber 34 is transferred through thecommunication hole 36 a. During the limited passage through thecommunication hole 36 a, noise-like high-frequency components are filtered out due to a small amount of transfer at a time, and the air pressure in thesecond chamber 35 is not substantially affected. Consequently, the pressuresensitive element 38 is not sufficiently deformed to generate a signal indicative of the substantial pressure change in thesecond chamber 34. Thus, an erroneous noise signal is substantially filtered out for the heartbeat measurement by thecommunication hole 36 a. - Now referring to
FIG. 8B , a diagram illustrates a further enlarged cross sectional view of the pressuresensitive element 38 and themetallic plate 37 according to the current invention. A first lead wire L1 is soldered onto the top surface of the pressuresensitive element 38 via a first solder piece H1 and is connected to theCPU 101. - Similarly, a second lead wire L2 is soldered onto the top surface of the
metallic plate 37 via a second solder piece H2 and is connected to theCPU 101. Although themetallic plate 37 is held down by the rubber rings G2 at its edge portion, the pressuresensitive elements 38 and themetallic plate 37 are upwardly deformed towards the direction of thepanel wall 39 in response to a pressure increase in thesecond chamber 35. As shown by the arrows, a central portion of the pressuresensitive element 38 and themetallic plate 37 is pushed upwardly while other portions also follow the central portion. The pressuresensitive element 38 outputs an electrical signal indicative of the above described deformation in proportion to an amount of the pressure change. Thus, the voltage difference is determined between the pressuresensitive element 38 and themetallic plate 37 at theCPU 101. - Now referring to
FIG. 9 , a diagram illustrates a top view of the isolatedheartbeat detection unit 3 according to the current invention. Four of the air-tight projection portions 36 b are shown to protrude through thepanel wall 39. With respect to the centrally locatedcommunication hole 36 a, the pressuresensitive element 38 is concentrically located as both indicated by dotted circular lines. Underneath the pressuresensitive element 38, themetallic plate 37 is also concentrically located as indicated by a corresponding dotted circular line. The rubber rings G2 hold themetallic plate 37 near its edge and are also indicated by a corresponding dotted circular line. The solder H1 and H2 are respectively placed near an edge surface of the pressuresensitive element 38 and themetallic plate 37. In this diagram, thecommunication hole 39 a ofFIGS. 7A and 8A is shown by a solid circular line. - Now referring to
FIG. 10 , a graph illustrates a relationship between the sensitivity of the pressuresensitive element 38 and the size of thecommunication hole 36 a in theheartbeat detection unit 3 according to the current invention. The Y axis indicates a sensitivity level of the pressuresensitive element 38 in decibels while the X axis indicates the area ratio of thecommunication hole 36 a to the pressuresensitive element 38. In general, the sensitivity increases as the area of thecommunication hole 36 a becomes smaller with respect to the pressuresensitive element 38. Contrarily, the sensitivity decreases as the area of thecommunication hole 36 a becomes larger with respect to the pressuresensitive element 38. Based upon the above described relation, an accurate heartbeat measurement is obtained by substantially eliminating high-frequency components that are not related to the pulsation force of the heartbeat with an appropriately selected size of thecommunication hole 36 a. For example, if the pressuresensitive element 38 is approximately 20 mm in diameter, the appropriate size of thecommunication hole 36 a is equal to or less than approximately 1 mm in diameter according to the above described relation as shown inFIG. 10 . It is also desired to form thecommunication hole 36 a in the center of thepanel wall 36. - Now referring to
FIGS. 11A and 11B , graphs show exemplary heartbeat data as measured by the heartbeat measuringwatch device 200 of the second preferred embodiment according to the current invention. In particular,FIG. 11A shows heartbeat pulses or wave forms al that are outputted by the pressuresensitive element 38. The output amplitude is plotted in the X axis while the time in seconds is plotted in the Y axis. A peak of each wave is indicated by a reference AP. The above data was collected from a 31-year male subject wearing the heartbeat measuringwatch device 200.FIG. 11B shows a frequency spectrum in hertz (Hz) in the X axis and the force varying strength in gram force (peak-to-peak) gf(p-p) in the Y axis. The above heartbeat pulse output from the pressuresensitive element 38 is converted into force strength values b1 and plotted against the frequency. - Now referring to
FIGS. 11C and 11D , graphs show exemplary heartbeat data as measured by the heartbeat measuringwatch device 200 of the second preferred embodiment according to the current invention. In particular,FIG. 11C shows heartbeat pulse or wave forms cl that are outputted by the pressuresensitive element 38. The output amplitude is plotted in the X axis while the time in seconds is plotted in the Y axis. A peak of each wave is indicated by a reference CP. The above data was collected from a 37-year female subject wearing the heartbeat measuringwatch device 200.FIG. 11D shows a frequency spectrum in hertz (Hz) in the X axis and the force varying strength in gram force (peak-to-peak) gf(p-p) in the Y axis. The above heartbeat pulse output from the pressuresensitive element 38 is converted into load strength values d1 and plotted against the frequency. - Now referring to
FIG. 12 , a flow chart illustrates general steps involved in a preferred process of monitoring heartbeats according to the current invention. Although some components and units are referred inFIGS. 1 and 2 for the following description, the reference is made to facilitate the description of the preferred process and is not made to limit the implementation of the steps. In a step S10, a user wears the heartbeat measuringwatch device 100 around his or her wrist. Thedisplay unit 25 is placed over the wrist on the back of his hand and is tightened bystrap 4 in the step S10. Since the pressure sensor or theheartbeat detection unit 3 is located below thedisplay unit 25, theheartbeat detection unit 3 makes a contact over the wrist on the back hand side rather than the palm side when the heartbeat measuringwatch device 100 is worn in the above described manner. - Still referring to
FIG. 12 , after the heartbeat measuringwatch device 100 is substantially immobile over the wrist, the user presses the predetermined switch button 2A on thecase 2 in order to initiate a heartbeat measurement in a step S12. The switch buttons 2A1 through 2A4 are connected to theinput control unit 102 ofFIG. 2 so that theCPU 101 reads a certain software program for the heartbeat measurement from theROM 106 into theRAM 105 for execution. In a preferred process, a software program is read according to a particular purpose or condition for the heartbeat measurement as indicated by the predetermined switch. For example, in response to a particular switch selection in the step S12, the software program displays a message such as “Be still” or “Relax” in thedisplay unit 25 via thedisplay control unit 103 in a step S14. The heartbeat measurement is, of course, taken during any activities including exercises. For this reason, the above message is meant to be an exemplary and assumes that the user wants to be reminded to have a heartbeat measurement at rest. In any case, the user needs no particular act or needs to war no additional piece for the heartbeat measurement. The software program initiates the heartbeat measurement at theheartbeat detection unit 3 in a step S16. After the heartbeat measurement is completed in the step S16, the measurement result is outputted to adisplay unit 25 in a step S18. Thus, the preferred process of monitoring the heartbeat is completed. - Now referring to
FIG. 13 , a diagram illustrates an exemplary display output of a heartbeat measurement result according to the current invention. Thedisplay unit 25 is mounted on the front surface of thewatch casing 2 between thestraps 4. The display unit generally indicates information that is determined by a default mode. In one setting, the default mode specifies that time and date are displayed. In another setting, the default mode specifies to display continuous heartbeat information. The default setting is modified by a combination of the inputs from the key switches 2A1, 2A2, 2A3 and 2A4. After the heartbeat measurement is completed as described with respect to the step S16 ofFIG. 3 , the user is notified of the completion either by an audible sound and or a display. The display is optionally flashed for some time and includes the measurement result such as shown in a number of heartbeats per minute. In this example, 75 heartbeats per minute is displayed as a measurement result. After a predetermined amount of time, the display is automatically changed to a default display in a preferred embodiment. Alternatively, the displayed result remains until the user presses a predetermined switch. - Now referring to
FIG. 14 , a flow chart illustrates detailed steps involved in a preferred process of monitoring heartbeat according to the current invention. Although some components and units are referred inFIGS. 1 and 2 for the following description, the reference is made to facilitate the description of the preferred process and is not made to limit the implementation of the steps. In general, the following steps illustrated inFIG. 14 further describe the steps S16 and S18 ofFIG. 12 . In a step S20, a user initiates a heartbeat measurement by pressing a predetermined switch. Upon the user initiation command, a predetermined timer is started in a step S20. In a step S22, it is determined whether or not heartbeat signals beyond a predetermined threshold level are detected within two seconds based upon heartbeat wave signals. If it is determined in the step S22 that the above specified signals are not detected within two seconds, the amplification of the heartbeat measuring signal is increased in a step S24. Subsequently, it is further determined in a step S26 whether or not fifteen seconds have elapsed since the onset of the timer in the step S20. If it is determined in the step S26 that fifteen seconds have not yet elapsed, the preferred process continues at the step S22. On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S26 that fifteen seconds have already elapsed, the preferred process proceeds to a step S28, where an error message is displayed and subsequently terminates. - Still referring to
FIG. 14 , the steps will be described following a successful detection of the heartbeat signals in the step 22. If it is determined in the step S22 that the above specified signals are detected within two seconds, it is further determined in a step S30 whether or not an interval between the consecutively detected heartbeat signals is within a predetermined amount of time. If it is determined in the step 30 that the interval is not within a predetermined amount of time, the preferred process proceeds to the step S26 and follows the above described steps. On the other hand, if it is determined in the step 30 that the interval is within a predetermined amount of time, the detected interval time data is stored in memory in a step S32. In asubsequent step 34, it is further determined whether or not the six time intervals have been stored in the memory. If it is determined in the step S34 that the six intervals have not been stored, the preferred process proceeds to the step S26 and follows the above described steps. On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S36 that the six intervals have been stored, an average interval value is calculated among the six stored intervals in a step S36. Lastly, it is determined in a step S38 whether or not the average interval value is within a predetermined range, which is from approximately 300 ms or 200 beats per minute to approximately 2000 ms or 30 beats per minute. If it is determined in the step S38 that the average interval value is not within the predetermined range, an error message is displayed in a step S28 and the preferred process terminates. On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S38 that the average interval value is within the predetermined range, the measured heartbeat information is displayed in a step S40, and the preferred process terminates. - Now referring to
FIG. 15 , a diagram illustrates an exemplary message that is displayed on thedisplay unit 25 of the heartbeat measuringwatch device 100 during the heartbeat measurement according to the current invention. As described above with respect toFIG. 14 , the heartbeat measurement is displayed only when the measured data satisfies a predetermined set of requirements. For example, even if certain requirements are met, when fifteen seconds have elapsed as indicated in the step S26 since the data collection started, an error message is displayed in the step S28. Similarly, when the averaged interval of the measured signals exceeds the predetermined range, the error message is also displayed in the step S28. One of the error messages is shown inFIG. 15 to advise the user to “tighten the strap” before another heartbeat measurement. Pulsation force is caused by the expanding/contracting arteries in the wrist, and the pulsation force is transferred onto the strap. When the strap is not sufficiently tightened around the wrist of the user during the heartbeat measurement, adequate heartbeat signals are not sampled by theheartbeat detection unit 3 since undesirable space between the wrist and the strap prevents the pulsation force from traveling the strap to theheartbeat detection unit 3. The tightly worn strap promotes some tension in the strap so that the pulsation force efficiently travels along the strap towards theheartbeat detection unit 3. - It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and that although changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts, as well as implementation in software, hardware, or a combination of both, the changes are within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
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JP2003209554A JP2005073709A (en) | 2003-08-29 | 2003-08-29 | Bioinformation measuring apparatus |
JP2003-385271 | 2003-11-14 | ||
JP2003385271A JP2005143814A (en) | 2003-11-14 | 2003-11-14 | Biological information measuring device |
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